Why is ‘Maisie Smith pregnant’ trending?
EASTENDERS star Maisie Smith shocked fans with a major hint that she was pregnant.
However, the post - which saw her boyfriend Max George looking in shock at her "bump" - wasn't all it seemed.
Why is 'Maisie Smith pregnant' trending?
On April 3, 2023, Maisie Smith shocked fans when she shared a picture where she was holding her tummy while her boyfriend Max George looked on with a hand to his mouth.
She tagged Max into the post - which showed her with a love-heart over her midriff.
The Tiffany Butcher actress captioned the picture: "We've got some really exciting news..."
However, the next slide explained it was just a wind-up - with the words: "I just had the best 5 course meal of my life."
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This time, the heart had gone, with Maisie shown cradling her stomach in a pink dress with Max by her side.
The prank - which came a couple of days late for April Fools' Day - took place on the couple's trip to Dubai.
It's not the first time Maisie has joked about having a baby.
She previously joked she was "pregnant" with her Strictly pal John Whaite.
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He posted a picture of them together, writing: "So please to announce the engagement of Maisie Smith and John Whaite.
"They'll marry in a field at some point within the next 9 months."
She joined in, joking that she was pregnant, saying: "Make it 10 months so my baby bumps gone.";
What have fans said about Maisie Smith?
The prank rapidly split opinion - some fans loved the wind-up, with one writing of the fake pregnancy: "It was hilarious.
"Anybody who follows her knew she wasn't, she's posted plenty of pictures drinking."
However, another replied: "Doesn't matter, she shouldn't use pregnancy as a joke."
In fact, the "pregnancy" hoax has received quite a lot of backlash.
Some fans branded it “disgraceful” to make light of pregnancy when so many people have suffered miscarriage or have been unable to conceive.
One person raged: “I used to like these 2 but not now.
"Pregnancy is NOT something to be Joked about.
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"There's people out there that would love to be Parents that would give anything to have a Baby and for whatever reason they can't. So inconsiderate ,, Shameful.”
Another upset person wrote: “Pregnancy is not something to joke about when there are so many people that suffer everyday because they can’t have children x”